'59 Johnson 5.5 HP

[ricks]

I'm hampered by logistics - live in Florida and the engine is in upstate NY. Have limited information but thought I would throw this out and see what the "experts" think.<br /><br />Flew up to NY to open the cottage. New gear lube and new gas. Motor has run perfect for years. Started fine and ran perfect for about ten minutes. Docked it and worked on other things. Couple hours later ran it for another 10-15 minutes and it was perfect. Then it just stopped cold. No cough, sputter or bad sounds. Just instantly stopped dead. No kick at all when pulling on the starter.<br /><br />Didn't have any time to start an analysis of what might be wrong. Had to catch a flight home - and now I'm 1500 miles away with an engine that won't run.<br /><br />Anyone want to take a guess, based on this very limited info, on what is wrong and how I might go about solving the problem?<br /><br />And, from simple curiosity, if it was running in good order again, what might this engine be worth?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

Hi Rick,<br /> Need a bit more to go on. When you tried to pull the motor over again, did it pull over? Did it pull over easily, or were there grinding noises? Some possibilities that come to mind are the lower driveshaft coming apart (not uncommon), gas cap not tight (loss of fuel pressure), piece of floating gunk caught in carb.<br /><br /> Some things to check next time out: Compression, lower unit oil for debris or burned smell, tighten gas cap and prime again for restart...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[ricks]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

Thanks for the response.<br /><br />No obvious problems at all. Pulls just fine, just not the slightest hint it wants to kick on. I did check the obvious - gas cap tight, plugs didn't look bad although I didn't check them further. Absolutely no unusual sounds at all. Not when it stopped and not after. No bad smells either. Gunk in the carb could be a possibility. The way it stopped, I was thinking more electrical. If it was gas/carb related, wouldn't you expect a sputter, or something similiar?<br /><br />I realize I'm not giving much info - just don't have more to give and won't be back in NY until near the end of the Summer.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

Ricks.... Water in the fuel ? Worth checking into.

 

[ricks]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

Thanks again.<br /><br />I don't have anything to add so I'll keep watching without a response - in case anyone else has any good thoughts. I'll put your ideas to work when I can get back to NY.

 

[steelespike]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

Total ignition failure isnt likely but check spark and go from there.

 

[ricks]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

^

 

[rolmops]

Re: '59 Johnson 5.5 HP

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